Short Summary

More than three thousand demonstrators gathered in Rome's Piazza Navona on Wednesday night (15 January) to protest against the arrest of Radical Party Secretary Gianfranco Spadaccia, charged on Monday with contravening Italy's strict anti-abortion legislation.

Description

More than three thousand demonstrators gathered in Rome's Piazza Navona on Wednesday night (15 January) to protest against the arrest of Radical Party Secretary Gianfranco Spadaccia, charged on Monday with contravening Italy's strict anti-abortion legislation.

The pro-abortion really was addressed by women's movement leader Syvlia Grillo. Former Radical Party Secretary Marco Pannella declined to speak after police had informed his that his affairs are also under investigation.

Signor Spadaccia's arrest followed as raid last week on the Florence abortion clinic by the Radical Party. The Radicals- with representation in the current Italian Parliament-are pressing for reform of the laws prohibiting all abortion in Italy.

Spokesmen from all of the country's political parties have condemned Signor Spadaccia's arrest for the effect it could have on the national debate on the question of legalising abortion. The Italian Parliament is scheduled in the near future to discuss changing the existing laws which date back to the Fascist dictatorship of Benito abortion in Italy and the issue has lain dormant for some time. The public campaign in favour of abortion has gained ground following the successful passage of divorce legislation in 1973.